Foreign Policy Think Tanks and Decision Making Processes

Israel is home to dozens of think tanks, all seeking to affect the way decisions are taken regarding social and political issues in their respective fields. The growing number of such institutes in Israel reflects a broader global phenomenon of increasing think tank influence. Although think tanks play a particularly central role in the United States, due to specific features of the American political system, their influence in other parts of the world is significant. In view of the many and complex security challenges faced by Israel, the role of think tanks in the Israeli experience demands serious consideration. This paper examines the target audiences for think tanks dealing with foreign policy, the ways in which these institutes affect decision making, and the challenges they face at present.